-Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Methode Traditionelle VQA Niagara, +988338, $29.95: this is a good bones wine, a soft on the palate sparkling sauvignon blanc. It's been aged over 21 months on lees, 20% aged in older French oak barrels for three months, coming in at 10g/L in sweetness. 13.5% ABV, fresh and clean continuous flow of bubbles. On the palate, soft herbs and melons with a lemony crisp finish. Can be sipped, but you may want to drink it with veggies as part of a first course. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
-Jackson-Triggs Entourage Grand Reserve Brut 2011 Methode Traditionelle VQA Niagara, +234161 $22.95: very much one of the bargain sparklers in Ontario at this price level. The 2008 was one of my faves, and the 2010 (with more pinot noir, three years en tirage, and a red tinge, like a rose) hit a 94 on my taste scale last month. The 2011 is back to regular straw colour. It has been aged over two years en tirage, very crisp on the palate, somewhat tart but may improve with age. Refreshingly crisp with typical yeasty nose, nuts, and a long long length. There is some 2008 at the LCBO, time to snap it up, it has aged well (I bought some). But the 2010 is gone, and this 2011, at 12.5% ABV, should prove almost as great a replacement, with its pinot noir character. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
-Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay Musque Reserve 2013 Sparkling VQA Ontario, $17.95: a lighter sparkler, like a moscato at 8.5% ABV. It's the first time done by J-T, from the lush 2013 vintage, and shows over-the-top floral grapey character of a musque - oranges, peaches, grapes. Ripe, good length on the finish, bubbles dance on the tongue. A pretty good wine for summer! Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
-Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay Grand Reserve 2012 VQA Niagara, +988055, $19.95: I was a fan of the 2011 vintage when it arrived at the LCBO last year, and this one continues the orchard fruit with a lemon finish complexity, aided by creamy butterscotch. It's a bit lean, but the toastiness promotes a long finish on the mid-palate. I quite like it just as much as the 2011, but like the 2011, it could use a bit more bottle age. Full malolactic in French oak, then aged 5 months on the lees in one year old barrels. 13.5% ABV. Unfortunately, the price has gone up two bucks over the 2011 (which of course was underpriced). Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
-Jackson-Triggs Delaine Chardonnay 2011 VQA Niagara, $24.95: from the single vineyard, Delaine Vineyards in Niagara. Barrel fermented in French oak, partial ML, six months barrel aging. Contemplatively rich and creamy, a definite Ontario chardonnay in its citric finish. Better than the 2011 Chardonnay GR, but then priced $7 higher, so it should be. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
-Jackson-Triggs Sauvignon Blanc Grand Reserve 2012 VQA Niagara, $19.95: done up in stainless steel, it is a mix of Euro and California style with some herbs and tropicality and a long citric finish. Best with food, of course. I had blind tasted this on a judging panel recentl6y and gave it a 90.13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
-Jackson-Triggs White Meritage Grand Reserve 2012 VQA Niagara, $24.95: herbs and honey dominate this 70%sauvignon blanc/30%semillon blend, which I had rated 91 points in a blind judged tasting last week. 10% of sauvignon blanc was barrel fermented in French oak; it gives the blend an extra kick and smoothness. Long finish. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
-Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Grand Reserve 2011 VQA Niagara, +360735 Vintages, $24.95: grat MVC of mocha tones, blackberries, some red fruit (but not too much). Strong on the palate, tight. Needs time. More an Oz style. Malolactic fermentation in French and US oak, barrel aged for 18 months in French and US oak. 13.5% ABV. I blind judged this last week, giving it 89 points. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
-Jackson-Triggs Delaine Syrah 2011 VQA Niagara, $32.95: it is interesting comparing this wine to the JTGR above, especially since winemaker Marco Piccoli made both wines. Here, and on the label, it is more leaning to a deft Euro style with peppery spices, some leather, smoke, vanilla, red fruit. It has been in French and US oak for over a year, with total ML fermentation. 13.5% ABV. I judged this blind last week, giving it 90 points. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
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